Thun'du kunaa - National Handicraft Centre

HANDICRAFT
In Dhivehi language blacksmith is referred
as Kanburuverikan. Maldivian use metals
such as copper and aluminum to create
objects.
Blacksmith is one of the ancient craft
works that reflects Maldivian heritage and
is carried out by many Maldivian artisans.
Tools used in fishery, agriculture, carpentry
and raaverikan, are products of Maldivian
blacksmiths. Blacksmiths create such
products as light fixtures, tools, cooking
utensils, fishing hooks, iron anchor, nails,
kitchen and farm knives and axes. A skilled
blacksmith can, with minimal effort, make
a sophisticated product that looks good
and demonstrates ingenuity.
First coins used in Maldivian economy
were also made by local blacksmiths and
this government trade mark was
produced only by a government
authorized and appointed person.
With the introduction of electricity, this
work has seen a tremendous
development in the tools used as well as
the methods. How ever, blacksmiths in the
early days were carried in a very unsafe
manner, without taking any safety
precautions.
People from Addu atoll are famous for
their blacksmith.
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Tools generally used by blacksmith are
listed below;
a) Girunbaa
b) Undhun
c) Kirunu
d) Mushi (Hammer)
e) Viruvaa unbu
f) Thaggandu
g) Dhathi
h) Saw
i) Handas and Kakuni
j) Feeru
Blacksmiths work by heating pieces of
wrought iron or steel in a forge until the
metal becomes soft enough to be shaped
with tools such as a hammer. Heating is
accomplished by the use of a forge fueled
by coal, charcoal or coke. Colour is
important for indicating the temperature
and workability of the metal.
Sometimes the metals are heated,
liquefied and poured into desired prestructured
cast/swage/frame.